Uruguayan port workers go on strike against mass layoffs

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The Single Port Union and Related Branches (SUPRA) of Uruguay will intensify its strikes against the dismissal of 150 workers and as a result of the lack of solution proposals from the government.

The secretary general, Álvaro Reinaldo, reported that the members of the Executive decided to go ahead with resolutions adopted the previous week and that have to do with the suspension of activities for 24 hours in companies and sectors in support of the affiliates affected by the Montecon firm, which also announced a plan to cut by half the salary of the employees who would remain in the workforce.

The Chilean-Canadian entity attributes a loss of 75 percent of its operations and competitive difficulties to the concession granted by the Government to the Katoen Natie multinational for the exclusive operation of the specialized container terminal until 2081.

Senators of the Broad Front opened a complaint process months ago before the Prosecutor’s Office for alleged criminal acts in the signing of that agreement in February 2021, which they consider a surrender of sovereignty over a strategic area of the nation.

The president of the leftist force, Fernando Pereira, concerned about the situation, will meet with the board of directors of SUPRA, while the legislative caucus convened once again the Minister of Transport, Jose Luis Falero.

The union leader in Montecon, Martín García, rejected a request from the Minister of Labor, Pablo Mieres, to suspend the strike until Tuesday, which he called “an empty letter”, without a formal proposal containing the port workers’ claim.